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American Last Names as First Names

  1. Sullivan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark eyes"

    • Description:

      Stylish and boyish but could work for a girl -- especially one with brown eyes -- and Sully is a quirky and jaunty nickname.
  2. Thornton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "place in the thorns"

    • Description:

      Despite Thornton Wilder, playwright of the perennial Our Town, only a handful of baby boys receive this name each year..
  3. Hughes

    • Origin:

      English, Scottish, Irish surname

    • Meaning:

      "mind, intellect; son of Aodh"

    • Description:

      Part of the next generation of preppy H-beginning surnames. Once Harrison, Hudson, and Holden are no longer fresh, expect to hear more little boys being called Hughes, Hutch, and Henderson on the playground.
  4. Sims

    • Origin:

      English surname derived from Simon

    • Meaning:

      "the listener"

    • Description:

      Sims is a medieval English surname, also found in Ireland and Scotland, that has many variations all deriving from the Hebrew Biblical name Simon. Sims is a simple, straightforward, yet proper-sounding name that works well as a first, whether you find it in your family tree or pluck the idea from someone else's. It was used for only five boys in the US in 2013.
  5. Myers

    • Description:

      Myers is primarily a masculine name that originated as an English and German surname before transitioning to occasional first-name usage. Derived from occupational roots, it historically referred to a mayor or local official (from the Middle English 'maire') or sometimes indicated a physician (from the German 'meier'). As a first name, Myers represents the continuing trend of using family surnames as given names, appealing to parents seeking distinctive options with historical weight. The name carries a professional, accomplished quality and projects reliability. While not among common first names in popularity rankings, Myers offers a distinguished alternative to more frequently used surname-derived names like Mason or Parker.

  6. Weaver

    • Origin:

      Occupational name

    • Description:

      Weaver, which made an appearance as a first name on the U.S. Top 1000 in the late 19th century and then vanished, may rise again along with its occupational brethren, from already-popular choices such as Cooper and Parker to au courant ones like Archer to occupational hotties of the future, including Booker and Sayer.
  7. Shaw

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "dweller by the wood"

    • Description:

      With the current taste for last names first, this sounds a lot cooler than Shawn; it also has creative connections to the great Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, novelist Irwin Shaw, and Big Band Era clarinetist/bandleader and one-time Ava Gardner husband Artie Shaw.
  8. Green

    • Origin:

      Color name

    • Description:

      Middle name possibility for a nature-loving family -- Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke used it for their son's middle name.
  9. Bennet

    • Origin:

      Variation of Bennett, English form of Benedict, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "blessed"

    • Description:

      This spelling of Bennett is typically seen as a surname, but gets moderate use as a first name for baby boys and girls.
  10. Webb

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "weaver"

    • Description:

      This pleasant single-syllable surname might be especially appealing to someone involved with the internet (and who isn't?)--even if some others might see it as a drawback.
  11. Page

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "page, attendant"

    • Description:

      Sleek and sophisticated single-syllable choice that has NEVER been in the Top 1000, though sister name Paige has ranked since the mid 1950s. Though off her peak, Paige is still in the Top 200. Along with Poppy, Patience, and Plum, Page is one of the girl names that start with P that are also words.
  12. Williams

    • Description:

      Williams is a patronymic surname that has evolved into use as a given name. Derived from the Germanic name Wilhelm (composed of elements meaning 'will, desire' and 'helmet, protection'), it literally means 'son of William.' As a first name, Williams maintains the distinguished, traditional quality of its surname origins. It's particularly popular in English-speaking countries, often chosen by families honoring ancestral surnames or seeking a formal, sophisticated option for their sons. While primarily used for boys, Williams carries a professional, timeless appeal that resists passing trends. The name offers familiar nickname options like Will or Bill, though many prefer using the full name to preserve its dignified character.

  13. Washington

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "home of the Wassa people"

    • Description:

      Lincoln, Tyler, Taylor, Jackson, Jefferson, Harrison, McKinley, Grant, Kennedy, Carter -- yes. Washington -- probably not.
  14. Ramos

    • Description:

      Ramos is predominantly a surname of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the Latin "ramus" meaning "branch" or "bough." Its use as a first name is relatively uncommon but occurs in Spanish-speaking countries and communities with Hispanic heritage. The name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a notable tree or worked with branches. Ramos has particular significance in Christian tradition through Palm Sunday, called "Domingo de Ramos" in Spanish, commemorating Jesus's entry into Jerusalem when palm branches were laid in his path. While primarily recognized as a family name—famously associated with Spanish football player Sergio Ramos—its strong, concise sound and cultural connections make it an occasional choice as a given name for boys in Hispanic communities.

  15. Gardner

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "keeper of the garden"

    • Description:

      Surely one of the most pleasant and evocative of the occupational options.
  16. Evans

    • Origin:

      Welsh surname

    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is gracious"

    • Description:

      Evans is an historic Welsh patronymic surname, derived from Evan, which is a form of John. With Evan's popularity in the U.S. and the U.K. -- it's a Top 50 names -- the stylish s-ending version may also be on the rise.
  17. Powell

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Howell"

    • Description:

      Powerful surname choice with many distinguished bearers, fresher sounding than Parker.
  18. Gray

    • Origin:

      Color name

    • Description:

      This color name, spelled either Gray or Grey is rapidly catching on. Actress Jenny von Oy recently called her daughter Gray Audrey.
  19. Olson

    • Description:

      Olson is primarily a surname of Scandinavian origin, derived from 'Olsen' which literally means 'son of Ole' or 'son of Olaf.' Ole and Olaf are ancient Norse names meaning 'ancestor's descendant' or 'ancestral relic.' As a given name, Olson represents the modern trend of using surnames as first names, appealing to parents seeking strong, distinctive options with historical resonance. While uncommon as a first name, it carries a sense of strength and Nordic heritage. The name projects reliability and tradition while maintaining a contemporary edge. Its simple pronunciation and spelling make it practical despite its relative rarity in first-name usage.
  20. Armstrong

    • Origin:

      English and Scottish surname

    • Meaning:

      "strong arms"

    • Description:

      Last name occasionally used as a first, can be seen as a Lance Armstrong athlete-hero name.